Book Review: The Silent Governess

The Silent Governess. By Julie Klassen. 2010. (January 2010). Bethany House. 448 pages.

For years, I could not recall the day without a smoldering coal of remorse burning within me.

Olivia Keene is a young woman with her fair share of regrets and secrets. Fleeing her home, she stumbles into quite a mess (more than one mess actually). She's discovered listening to a conversation she had no business hearing. Lord Bradley--the man on whom she happens to be eavesdropping fears the worse. Miss Keene--if that is indeed her name--may be up to no good. She may be a thief. A spy. At the very least, if released out of his custody, his care, she may go somewhere and tell his secrets, start a scandal. One thing he knows for sure, he doesn't trust her. Why did she have a newspaper clipping about his family in her possession? Why is she in the neighborhood to begin with? Was she really just passing through as she claims? On her way to seek a teaching position in a nearby school?

Both Olivia and Edward (Lord Bradley) have secrets. And secrets can be dangerous. What's a man to do with a woman he doesn't trust? Why hire her to be an under nurse in the nursery. (The children she is tending are not his. They're his nephews and niece.) It helps that he introduces her as mute--unable to speak. (Hence the silent part of the title!) How long will she stay--that is the question. Can he learn to trust her? Can she learn to trust him?

This is the third Julie Klassen novel that I've read. The first being The Lady of Milkweed Manor; the second being The Apothecary's Daughter. I definitely enjoyed this one! Great characters, great story, interesting plot. I love historical fiction and historical romance. I think this will appeal to many.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible